Michelle Z Walker

Media Specialist

As a multimedia specialist, Michelle reports on and produces on-air and online features, often with a cultural or environmental focus. She also serves as editor of WFIT's website. In addition, she leads WFIT’s internship program, providing students with a comprehensive public radio experience.

Michelle was born and raised in sunny Florida. Before joining the WFIT team, she spent several years living and working nomadically in remote locations across the country. She has zigzagged the U.S. traveling out to the redwood forests of California, over to the tip of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire and many places in-between.

Eventually Michelle found her way back to Florida. She wandered into WFIT one fateful day, beginning her career at the station as a volunteer. She was thrilled to join the staff in early 2011 as a project coordinator. During this time, she began producing WFIT’s International Student Spotlight, an ongoing series dedicated to celebrating college campus diversity. Working with the students on this series has provided Michelle with glimpses into cultures of such far flung places as Ethiopia, Brazil, India, China, Saudi Arabia and Trinidad. Her work on this series earned WFIT a 2011 Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) award in audiovisual communication.

Another highlight of Michelle’s career at WFIT was her coverage of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition. She hiked along with expedition members at different points throughout their journey, back country camping and experiencing wild Florida.

Michelle has fallen in love with the creative storytelling process and looks for any opportunity to evolve as a reporter/producer. In 2012 she was selected among ten other up-and-coming public radio reporters to participate in Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI) reporter training at WHYY in Philadelphia. She also regularly participates in NPR training webinars.

Michelle has a passion for traveling and enjoys spending time in the great outdoors.

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Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition
11:59 am
Wed February 8, 2012

Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition Biologist Weighs In On Problematic Pythons In The Everglades

WFIT is following the 1000-mile Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition, which runs until Earth Day.

In this special segment, Carson Cooper of sister station WUSF talks with one expedition member about the invasive exotic that’s been causing native animal populations to plummet in South Florida.

Station Announcements
3:03 pm
Fri February 3, 2012

Construction Site Readied For WFIT’s New Building

Great news: WFIT’s new studio construction has finally begun.

“The WFIT staff is very excited about the beginning of construction on the brand new 5000 square foot facility. WFIT’s new home will house six broadcast studios, including a performance studio. We appreciate all the support and donations of those who have helped make this possible,” says WFIT General Manager Terri Wright.

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Sports
1:38 pm
Fri February 3, 2012

Former Panther Tim Wakefield Returns to Florida Tech

Red Sox Pitcher Tim Wakefield, who played for the Panthers from 1986-88, will return to Florida Institute of Technology for a special pre-game ceremony prior to the season-opening doubleheader against Claflin University. At the conclusion of the ceremony, he will throw out the season’s first pitch.

Wakefield was selected team MVP his sophomore and junior seasons as a first baseman at Florida Tech. He still holds the school record for career home runs with 40, and set single-season marks in 1987 with 22 home runs and 71 RBIs.

Coastal Connection
1:16 pm
Wed February 1, 2012

Coastal Connection's Spotlight On This Weekend’s Melbourne and Beaches Music Marathon

Looking for a healthy and exciting outing this weekend? Join in the fun of the Melbourne and Beaches Music Marathon. It’s an event with varied opportunities for individuals and families, including 5k and 8k races, a hand cycle race, full and half marathons, with more than twenty musical acts along the courses. Activities for children include a free kids run with a very special guest leading the way.

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Environment and Science
1:47 pm
Tue January 31, 2012

From The Florida Wildlife Corridor Project: Protecting Habitat For Florida’s Large Mammals

Credit Photo by Carlton Ward Jr. / http://www.floridawildlifecorridor.org/
Florida Black Bear, Highlands County

Black bears and panthers are two of Florida’s imperiled wildlife species. Both are facing a daunting obstacle to their survival: habitat fragmentation caused by development like roadways, subdivisions and shopping malls. By isolating habitats, human expansion jeopardizes genetic diversity in wildlife populations. Disease and hereditary defects are often the result.

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